Pravastatin inhibits cell proliferation and increased MAT1A expression in hepatocarcinoma cells and in vivo models

Background: Statins may have therapeutic effects on hepatocarcinoma (HCC). This type of disorder is the most common malignant primary tumour in the liver. Our objective was to determine whether pravastatin had a therapeutic effect in vitro and in vivo models. Method: We design in vitro and in vivo model. In vitro we used PLC and determine cell proliferation. In vivo, we used and animal model to determined, PCNA and MAT1A expression and transaminases levels. Results: We found that pravastatin decreases cell proliferation in vitro (cell proliferation in pravastatin group was 82%, in sorafenib group 51% and in combined group 40%) and in vivo (in pravastatin group 80%, in sorafenib group 76.4% and in combined group 72.72%). The MAT1A levels, was significantly higher in Pravastatin group (D 62%, P 94%, S 71%, P + S 91%). The transaminases levels, decreased significantly in Pravastatin group (GOT and GPT levels D 619.5 U/L; 271 U/L) (P 117.5 U/L; 43.5 U/L) (S 147 U/L; 59 U/L) (P + S 142 U/L; 59 U/L). Conclusion: The combination of pravastatin + sorafenib were more effective than Sorafenib alone.

GFAP Isoforms in Adult Mouse Brain with a Focus on Neurogenic Astrocytes and Reactive Astrogliosis in Mouse Models of Alzheimer Disease

24 p.

Egalitarian distributions in coalitional models: The Lorenz criterion

The paper presents a framework where the most important single-valued solutions in the literature of TU games are jointly analyzed. The paper also suggests that similar frameworks may be useful for other coalitional models.

Practical applications of the likelihood, time transcendence and metadata in virtual models of heritage elements

Contributed to: III Bienal de Restauración Monumental: "Sobre la des-restauración" (Sevilla, Spain, Nov 23-25, 2006)

Time transcendence, metadata and future utilization in 3D models of point clouds for heritage elements

Contributed to: Virtual Retrospect 2007 (Pessac, France, Nov 14-16, 2007)

Model of sources: a proposal for the hierarchy, merging strategy and representation of the information sources in virtual models of historical buildings

Contributed to: Fusion of Cultures: XXXVIII Annual Conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology – CAA2010 (Granada, Spain, Apr 6-9, 2010)

In vitro activities of natural products against oral Candida isolates from denture wearers

Background: Candida-associated denture stomatitis is a frequent infectious disease. Treatment of this oral condition is difficult because failures and recurrences are common. The aim of this study was to test the in vitro antifungal activity of pure constituents of essentials oils. -- Methods: Eight terpenic derivatives (carvacrol, farnesol, geraniol, linalool, menthol, menthone, terpinen-4-ol, and aterpineol), a phenylpropanoid (eugenol), a phenethyl alcohol (tyrosol) and fluconazole were evaluated against 38 Candida isolated from denture-wearers and 10 collection Candida strains by the CLSI M27-A3 broth microdilution method. -- Results: Almost all the tested compounds showed antifungal activity with MIC ranges of 0.03-0.25% for eugenol and linalool, 0.03-0.12% for geraniol, 0.06-0.5% for menthol, a-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol, 0.03-0.5% for carvacrol, and 0.06-4% for menthone. These compounds, with the exception of farnesol, menthone and tyrosol, showed important in vitro activities against the fluconazole-resistant and susceptible-dose dependent Candida isolates. -- Conclusions: Carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, linalool and terpinen-4-ol were very active in vitro against oral Candida isolates. Their fungistatic and fungicidal activities might convert them into promising alternatives for the topic treatment of oral candidiasis and denture stomatitis.

Desarrollo de un nuevo soporte polímerico con componentes de matriz extracelular neural para su aplicación en la diferenciación "in vitro" de distintas células primarias

268 p. : il.

Efecto del clorhidrato de tiaprida sobre el metabolismo oxidativo de cerebro de rata "in vitro"

El clorhidrato de tiaprida es una benzamida u ortopramida con efecto neuroléptico atípico. En el presente trabajo se estudia el efecto del clorhidrato de tiaprida sobre el consumo de oxígeno, glucosa, fosforilación oxidativa mitocondrial, actividad ATPasa y la interacción con diversos neurotransmisores en preparaciones de cortes de corteza de rata "in vitro". En relación con el MATERIAL Y METODOS, se determinó el consumo de oxígeno en cortes, homogeneizados y mitocondrias de cerebro de rata "in vitro" mediante técnica manométrica. La actividad ATPasa se determinó estimando el fosfato inorgánico liberado a partir del adenosín-trifosfato (ATP) en ausencia y en presencia de ouabaína. Se determinó el consumo de glucosa mediante el proceder de la glucosa-oxidasa y también se estudió la fosforilación oxidativa mitocondrial. Para el estudio de las interacciones con los neurotransmisores se recurrió a los cortes de cortaza cerebral de rata "in vitro". Se determinó el valor de la Concentración Inbitoria50 cuando el antagonismo era de tipo no competitivo. El clorhidrato de tiaprida a las concentraciones de 10-3, 10-4 y 10-5M disminuye el consumo de oxígeno de homogeneizados de cerebro de rata "in vitro", no desacopla la fosforilación oxidativa mitocondrial, no modifica el consumo de oxígeno y de glucosa de cortes de cerebro de rata "in vitro" incubados en solución de Krebs-Ringer fosfato normal, no inhibe la actividad ATPasa de membrana sodio-potasio dependiente, ni la actividad ATPasa no sensible a ouabaína. El clorhidrato de tiaprida a la concentración de 10-6M antagoniza el incremento de consumo de oxígeno inducido por la dopamina en cortes de cerebro de rata "in vitro" incubados en solución de Krebs-Ringer fosfato pH 7.4 con glucosa 10 mM, siendo este antagonismo de tipo no competitivo. El clorhidrato de tiaprida no modifica los efectos de histamina y serotonina sobre el consumo de oxígeno de cortes de cerebro de rata.

Candida albicans Increases Tumor Cell Adhesion to Endothelial Cells In Vitro: Intraspecific Differences and Importance of the Mannose Receptor

The dimorphic fungus Candida albicans is able to trigger a cytokine-mediated pro-inflammatory response that increases tumor cell adhesion to hepatic endothelium and metastasis. To check the intraspecific differences in this effect, we used an in vitro murine model of hepatic response against C. albicans, which made clear that tumor cells adhered more to endothelium incubated with blastoconidia, both live and killed, than germ tubes. This finding was related to the higher carbohydrate/protein ratio found in blastoconidia. In fact, destruction of mannose ligand residues on the cell surface by metaperiodate treatment significantly reduced tumor cell adhesion induced. Moreover, we also noticed that the effect of clinical strains was greater than that of the reference one. This finding could not be explained by the carbohydrate/protein data, but to explain these differences between strains, we analyzed the expression level of ten genes (ADH1, APE3, IDH2, ENO1, FBA1, ILV5, PDI1, PGK1, QCR2 and TUF1) that code for the proteins identified previously in a mannoprotein-enriched pro-metastatic fraction of C. albicans. The results corroborated that their expression was higher in clinical strains than the reference one. To confirm the importance of the mannoprotein fraction, we also demonstrate that blocking the mannose receptor decreases the effect of C. albicans and its mannoproteins, inhibiting IL-18 synthesis and tumor cell adhesion increase by around 60%. These findings could be the first step towards a new treatment for solid organ cancers based on the role of the mannose receptor in C. albicans-induced tumor progression and metastasis.

A neural extracellular matrix-based method for in vitro hippocampal neuron culture and dopaminergic differentiation of neural stem cells

Background: The ability to recreate an optimal cellular microenvironment is critical to understand neuronal behavior and functionality in vitro. An organized neural extracellular matrix (nECM) promotes neural cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. Here, we expanded previous observations on the ability of nECM to support in vitro neuronal differentiation, with the following goals: (i) to recreate complex neuronal networks of embryonic rat hippocampal cells, and (ii) to achieve improved levels of dopaminergic differentiation of subventricular zone (SVZ) neural progenitor cells. Methods: Hippocampal cells from E18 rat embryos were seeded on PLL- and nECM-coated substrates. Neurosphere cultures were prepared from the SVZ of P4-P7 rat pups, and differentiation of neurospheres assayed on PLL- and nECM-coated substrates. Results: When seeded on nECM-coated substrates, both hippocampal cells and SVZ progenitor cells showed neural expression patterns that were similar to their poly-L-lysine-seeded counterparts. However, nECM-based cultures of both hippocampal neurons and SVZ progenitor cells could be maintained for longer times as compared to poly-L-lysine-based cultures. As a result, nECM-based cultures gave rise to a more branched neurite arborization of hippocampal neurons. Interestingly, the prolonged differentiation time of SVZ progenitor cells in nECM allowed us to obtain a purer population of dopaminergic neurons. Conclusions: We conclude that nECM-based coating is an efficient substrate to culture neural cells at different stages of differentiation. In addition, neural ECM-coated substrates increased neuronal survival and neuronal differentiation efficiency as compared to cationic polymers such as poly-L-lysine.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of a Folate-Targeted Copolymeric Submicrohydrogel Based on N-Isopropylacrylamide as 5-Fluorouracil Delivery System

Folate-targeted poly[(p-nitrophenyl acrylate)-co-(N-isopropylacrylamide)] nanohydrogel (F-SubMG) was loaded with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to obtain low (16.3 +/- 1.9 mu g 5-FU/mg F-SubMG) and high (46.8 +/- 3.8 mu g 5-FU/mg F-SubMG) load 5-FU-loaded F-SubMGs. The complete in vitro drug release took place in 8 h. The cytotoxicity of unloaded F-SubMGs in MCF7 and HeLa cells was low; although it increased for high F-SubMG concentration. The administration of 10 mu M 5-FU by 5-FU-loaded F-SubMGs was effective on both cellular types. Cell uptake of F-SubMGs took place in both cell types, but it was higher in HeLa cells because they are folate receptor positive. After subcutaneous administration (28 mg 5-FU/kg b.w.) in Wistar rats, F-SubMGs were detected at the site of injection under the skin. Histological studies indicated that the F-SubMGs were surrounded by connective tissue, without any signs of rejections, even 60 days after injection. Pharmacokinetic study showed an increase in MRT (mean residence time) of 5-FU when the drug was administered by drug-loaded F-SubMGs.

El ácido all trans retinoico reduce in vitro el efecto protumoral de los factores de crecimiento e incrementa la eficacia de la quimioterapia en el rabdomiosarcoma S4MH

257 p.

Análisis del crecimiento de las células ganglionares de la retina de rata in vitro

De los diferentes tipos celulares que forman la retina unos de los más importantes son las células ganglionares (RGCs, del inglés Retinal Ganglion Cells), que son las neuronas que se encargan de transmitir la información visual desde el ojo hasta los centros visuales del cerebro. En este trabajo se pretende determinar el efecto del tiempo de cultivo en la supervivencia de las RGCs,y en la extensión y número de sus neuritas. También se pretende caracterizar un subtipo de RGCs, las RGCs que expresan el fotopigmento melanopsina.

Efecto de la hipertermia sobre la proliferación de células CC531 in vitro

El cáncer colorrectal (CCR) es un problema mundial, con una incidencia anual de aproximadamente un millón de casos, y una mortalidad anual de más de 500.000. Así, el CCR es la segunda causa de mortalidad por cáncer entre hombres y mujeres. Además, se prevé que el número absoluto de casos aumentará en las próximas dos décadas como resultado del envejecimiento y la expansión de las poblaciones, tanto en los países desarrollados como en los países en desarrol lo (1, 2). Gran parte de los carcinomas colorrectales son adenocarcinomas glandulares, caracterizados por la invasión de tejidos o estructuras circundantes y por su potencial de metastatizar, por vía linfática o vascular. De hecho, alrededor del 50% de los pacientes con cáncer de colon desarrollan metástasis hepáticas, bien en la presentación del tumor o en la recidiva de la enfermedad. Por este motivo, las metástasis hepáticas del CCR constituyen un problema clínico de primera magnitud. En la última década , la cirugía ha aumentado sus indicaciones desde pacientes con no más de tres metástasis , hasta pacientes con una masa tumoral hepática inicialmente no resecable, pero susceptibles de reducir el volumen tumoral mediante quimioterapia o de incrementar la m asa hepática remanente hasta proporciones compatibles con la supervivencia del enfermo (embolizaciones, ligadura de vasos portales, etc.). Hoy por hoy, la técnica curativa indiscutida es la resección quirúrgica del parénquima hepático invadido por tumor; s in embargo, solo una pequeña parte de los pacientes que presentan metástasis hepáticas son aptos para someterse a resección quirúrgica (